Water closet

ABSTRACT

A water closet including a flush toilet with a bowl and a flushing device including a flush water feed line to conduct flush water into the bowl, wherein a device for supplying a disinfecting flushing gas into the bowl is provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority of DE 10 2015 106 220.8, filed Apr. 22, 2015, the priority of this application is hereby claimed and this application is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention pertains to a water closet comprising a flush toilet with a bowl and a flushing device comprising a flush water feed line for supplying flush water to the bowl.

The topic of toilet hygiene is assuming ever greater importance. Whereas in the past it was possible to clean the flush toilet only with the supplied flush water, which flows through the flush toilet after use, special surface coatings have been developed recently, which can be used to coat the surface of the flush toilet, at least in the area of the bowl, the goal of the coating being to decrease the amount of material adhering to the bowl and thus to reduce the need to clean the flush toilet. In conjunction with an appropriate supply of flush water and/or an effectively aimed flush water line, this has led to considerable improvement. Nevertheless, there is always a need to improve toilet hygiene.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is therefore based on the problem of providing a water closet which is improved in comparison to the past.

To solve the problem in a water closet of the type indicated above, a device for supplying a disinfecting flushing gas into the bowl is provided according to the invention.

In the water closet according to the invention, in addition to the flush water to perform the cleaning, possibly in conjunction with an appropriate surface coating, a disinfecting flushing gas can also be supplied to the bowl to clean it. This flushing gas flows along the essential parts of the bowl or along the entire surface of the bowl and can thus exert its disinfecting action on the bowl areas over which it passes. As a result, contaminants such as germs or the like can be killed.

The device can comprise a gas generator to generate the disinfecting flushing gas; that is, the disinfecting flushing gas is produced on site. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that a gas reservoir containing the disinfecting flushing gas could be provided, and the flushing gas could be withdrawn from the reservoir when needed.

Ozone is preferably used as the flushing gas, which is easy to produce by a gas generator, but it can also be easily stored in a gas reservoir.

When a gas generator is provided, it will comprise a housing containing a UV(C) ray-emitting radiation device and possibly a conveying means for conveying the flushing gas generated in the interior of the housing to the bowl. The housing, into which a fresh supply of room air can flow, contains a UV(C) emitter. This UV(C) emitter emits high-energy, short-wave radiation with wavelengths in the nanometer range. At least some of the air present in the interior of the housing, which therefore serves, as it were, as a gas generator chamber, is converted to ozone. The generated flushing gas can then be drawn from the housing by gravity or with the help of a conveying means such as a simple fan, sent to the bowl, and used there for the flushing process. The fan can also be arranged in the housing, or it can be installed downstream or upstream from the housing itself. In either case, the flushing gas is conveyed by the fan, while at the same time the fan also brings fresh room air into the housing, i.e., the air which is to be activated.

If, instead of a gas generator, a gas reservoir is provided, then, according the invention, a replaceable and/or refillable pressure vessel is used as the gas reservoir, from which the flushing gas can be discharged under pressure. There is therefore no need for a fan. The pressure vessel can be replaceable; that is, it can be easily detached from its mounting on an appropriate supply line, which leads to the bowl, and a new pressure vessel can be put in its place. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the pressure vessel could be refilled on site, for which purpose the pressure vessel comprises a suitable filling opening, to which a filling hose can be attached, through which fresh flushing gas can be introduced into the pressure vessel from a flushing gas source.

The gas generator or the gas reservoir is preferably arranged in an empty space in the flush toilet. The flush toilet, as a ceramic or porcelain object, usually has a relatively large empty space in the lower or rear area, into which the gas generator or the gas reservoir can be easily integrated. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the gas generator or gas reservoir could be arranged behind a front wall, to which the flush toilet is fastened or is to be fastened.

To supply the flushing gas, it is advisable to provide a feed channel, which is part of the feed device. The flushing gas is conducted into the bowl through this feed channel.

A separate rigid or flexible channel in the form of a hose or the like can be provided on such a feed channel. The hose leads from the gas generator or gas reservoir to a feed opening in the flush toilet leading to the bowl. A separate channel, therefore, is laid through the toilet and connected to the ceramic by joint or connecting elements, so that the flushing gas emerging from the channel passes through appropriate openings in the ceramic and arrives in the bowl.

As an alternative to the use of a separate channel, the flush water line can serve as the feed channel, to which the gas generator or gas reservoir is connected either directly or by way of a channel connecting piece. According to this embodiment of the invention, therefore, the gas generator or gas reservoir is coupled to the flush water line, which is connected to the toilet. By way of the flush water feed line, the flush water usually flows through appropriate openings into the bowl. According to the invention, advantage is now take of this by introducing the flushing gas into the flush water line, through which the gas passes by way of appropriate openings in the bowl and thus arrives in the bowl.

As an alternative to the use of the flush water feed line as a feed channel, it is conceivable that an air exhaust channel, through which air can be drawn out of the bowl by an exhaust fan, could be used as a feed channel, the gas generator or gas reservoir being connected to the air exhaust channel either directly or by way of a channel connecting piece. Some sanitary facilities have an air exhaust system to draw odors directly out of the bowl. The air exhaust channel is necessarily connected to the interior of the bowl, which means that it can be used as a feed channel for the flushing gas. This gas is blown into the air exhaust channel, passes through the corresponding openings in the bowl, and arrives in the bowl.

The gas generator or gas reservoir or the channel connecting piece, by which the gas generator or gas reservoir is connected to the flushing water feed line or to the air exhaust channel, is preferably connected to the flushing water feed line or to the air exhaust channel at a point close to where the flushing water feed line or of the air exhaust channel is connected to the flush toilet. This connecting position close to the toilet connection is recommended, because the flushing gas thus arrives in the bowl over the shortest possible route via the flushing water feed line or the air exhaust channel and does not mix or mixes only to a negligible extent with the surrounding air in the flushing water feed line or in the air exhaust channel.

To activate the feed of flushing gas, it is advisable to provide a manually actuated operating element as part of the facility. A control knob or sensor button, which is to be pressed when the flow of flushing gas is to be initiated, can be provided, for example. When this control knob or push button is actuated, the fan, if provided, is also turned on simultaneously, so that the flushing gas is blown into the bowl. If a gas reservoir is provided, an appropriate control valve downstream from the gas reservoir is actuated. This valve opens, so that the pressurized flushing gas in the gas reservoir flows out and arrives in the bowl. This means that an appropriate control unit is provided, which, on actuation of the operating element, turns on the gas generator at least temporarily or temporarily opens and then closes the gas reservoir.

The operating element itself can be a push button or a push knob, which is preferably arranged on an actuating device of the flushing device. The flushing device is usually actuated by a flush button provided on the rear wall. The push button or the push knob which activates the feed of flushing gas can be arranged in the area of this flush button. This placement is intuitive, since the flush button also serves to clean the flush toilet.

To make the most intensive use possible of the disinfecting action of the flushing gas when the flushing gas passes over the surface of the bowl, it is advisable for the lid of the flush toilet to be closed. This makes it possible for the supplied flushing gas to act for as long and intensively as possible; that is, the treatment time can be prolonged, since, when the lid is closed, the flushing gas collects in the bowl and does not immediately escape into the environment.

In association with that, according to an advisable elaboration of the invention, at least one sensor element is provided to detect the position of the lid covering the bowl, wherein the feed of the flushing gas can be controlled as a function of the detection result. That is, the flushing gas is supplied only if the sensor element detects that the lid is closed. Then, and only then, is the radiation device turned on by the control unit to generate the flushing gas such as ozone and to actuate the fan to transport the flushing gas, or then and only then is the valve which opens the gas reservoir actuated. If the lid is not closed, no flushing gas will flow into the bowl even if the operating element has been actuated.

According to a first alternative of the invention, the sensor element can serve to detect when the lid is in the raised position. This is advisable especially in the case of a flush toilet such as a wall-hung flush toilet, which is mounted or is to be mounted on a wall, especially a front wall, wherein the sensor element is arranged on the wall above the flush toilet. When in the raised position, the toilet lid is tilted toward the wall or leans against the wall. If the sensor element is in an area through which the lid passes as it is being raised, the sensor element will necessarily detect that the lid is up. Detecting the raised lid in this way is also advisable in the case of a floor-mounted flush toilet, wherein the sensor element in this case is arranged on a tank arranged behind and above the flush toilet. In the case of a floor-mounted flush toilet, the lid is raised toward the tank and possibly rests against it. If the sensor element is located there, it can also detect that the lid is raised. The lid is assumed to be closed only if the sensor element is no longer detecting a raised lid, whereupon the flushing gas can be supplied upon actuation of the operating element.

As an alternative, the sensor element could also be used to detect a closed lid. In this case, the sensor element is preferably arranged on the toilet seat, which is located underneath the lid when the lid is closed. When the lid is closed, it automatically rests on the toilet seat. If the sensor element is now on the toilet seat, the closed lid can be easily detected. The flushing gas can flow only when this seat-mounted sensor element transmits a detection signal.

In the embodiments described here, the sensor element is preferably a proximity sensor. When the raised lid approaches the front wall or the tank, its proximity is detected by the sensor element, i.e., the sensor element can detect that the lid has been raised. For this purpose the lid does not have to be resting against the wall or the tank. If a seat-mounted sensor is used, a proximity sensor is again possible, but a pressure sensor could also be used, for the lid usually rests under its own weight on the seat, thus exerting a light pressure on it. Thus a closed lid can also be detected in this way.

According to another alternative form of the invention pertaining to the operation of the device for feeding flushing gas only when the lid is closed, the lid is closed automatically when the operating element is actuated. Modern sanitary facilities have a shower device installed in a housing on the flush toilet, through which water can be discharged toward a user through an extendable nozzle. This shower device is usually arranged behind the lid-seat combination, wherein the seat and the lid are pivotably supported on or in the housing of the shower device, for example. The shower device comprises several electrically operated components. It is now possible to provide a closing device in the area of the shower device to close the lid automatically on actuation of the operating element. This means that a lid drive is realized, by means of which a raised lid can be actively closed. When the operating element for feeding the flushing gas is actuated and the lid is still in a raised position, the lid drive, i.e., the closing device, can be actuated by the control unit of the shower device, so that the lid will be closed automatically. Only after the lid is closed will the flushing gas be supplied, either in that it is generated and blown in by the fan or in that it is taken from the flushing gas reservoir.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of the disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages, specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 shows a water closet of a first embodiment with a device for generating flushing gas and for introducing the flushing gas into a flush water line;

FIG. 2 shows a view of the flush toilet from above to illustrate the distribution of the flushing gas;

FIG. 3 shows a rear view of an installation example of the water closet of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of a water closet according to the invention with a device for generating flushing gas and with a flushing gas feed leading into an air exhaust channel;

FIG. 5 shows a water closet according to the invention according to a third embodiment with a gas reservoir containing flushing gas, where the feed passes through the flushing water feed line; and

FIG. 6 shows a rear view of a flush toilet to be hung on a wall with a flushing gas generating device arranged in an empty space in the flush toilet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a water closet 1 according to the invention comprising a flush toilet 2 with a bowl 3 (see also FIG. 2). Also provided is a flushing device 4, comprising a flush water tank 5 and a flush water feed line 6, through which the flush water tank 5 is connected to a connector socket 7 of the flush toilet, which is usually made of ceramic or porcelain. In the present example, the flush water entering through this feed line arrives in a water ring 8, through which it can flow into the bowl by way of appropriate perforations in the water ring 8. The arrows shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 show the basic way in which the flush water can potentially flow.

In a manner known in and of itself, the flush toilet naturally also comprises a connecting flange 9 for a wastewater line. Also mounted on the flush toilet is a seat-lid combination 10, comprising a seat 11 and a lid 12.

The flushing device 4 is installed behind a front wall 13, wherein a mounting frame 14 is usually used for installation (see FIG. 3), on which the flush water tank 5 and any other required components are arranged. In the example shown here, the flush water feed line 6 and the wastewater line (not shown here) pass through the front wall 13.

Arranged on the front side of the front wall 13 is an operating device 15, comprising a flush button 16, by means of which the feed of flush water from the flush water tank 5 can be started. After the flush toilet has been used, the user must press the button 16 to start the flushing process.

The water closet 1 according to the invention also comprises a device 17 for supplying a disinfecting flushing gas into the bowl 3. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, this device 17 comprises a gas generator 18, which generates ozone as a flushing gas. The gas generator 18 comprises a housing 19, in which a fan 20 and a radiation device 21, which emits UV(C) rays, i.e., high-energy, short-wave radiation, are arranged. These UV(C) rays are able to convert at least some of the ambient air into ozone. Through perforations 22, which can be provided if desired, fresh air can enter the housing 19 of the gas generator 18.

The gas generator 18 is connected to the flush water feed line 6 by a channel connecting piece 24. The flush water feed line serves as a feed channel for the flushing gas generated by the gas generator 18. The operation of the gas generator is initiated by an operating element 25, a suitable button or the like. This operating element 25 communicates with a control unit 23 of the radiation generator 18, wherein, of course, the necessary power and communications lines are provided, although they are not shown here. By way of example, the operating element 25 is located on the operating device 15 comprising the flush button 16.

When the operating element 25 is actuated, the radiation device 21 is turned on, so that the UV(C) rays are emitted, and flushing gas in the form of ozone is generated. At the same time, the fan 20 is turned on, so that the generated flushing gas is blown into the flush water line 6 through the channel connecting piece 24. The gas thus arrives in the water ring 8 and from there flows through the perforations into the bowl 3, as the lines in FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate. The flushing gas flows along the surface of the bowl and disinfects it completely. The cleaning process can proceed for a defined period of time, wherein the length of time is controlled by the control unit 23. For example, a timer can be set to terminate the flushing process after five or ten minutes; at the end of the flushing process, the radiation device 21 and the fan 20 are automatically turned off again. To improve the cleaning line, the flush toilet can also be flushed with water beforehand or afterwards, possibly under automatic control.

To improve the cleaning, i.e., disinfecting, action even more and to keep the concentration of flushing gas in the area of the bowl as high as possible, the seat-lid combination 10 should be kept closed during the disinfection process; that is, the lid 12 must be closed. To detect the raised or closed state of the lid 12, a sensor element 26 is provided, which, in the examples shown here, is arranged on the front wall 13, but it could just as well be arranged on the operating device 15. This sensor element 26 can be, for example, a proximity switch, which detects whether an object, in this case the lid 12, is in front of it. If it senses that the lid 12 is in front of it, the lid must be in the raised position. In this case, no ozone, for example, will be generated and no flushing gas will be supplied, even if the operating element 25 has been actuated. The disinfecting process can start only after the sensor element 26 has reported to the control unit 23 that the lid 12 is closed.

FIG. 3 shows, as described above, an installation example of a flush toilet 2 as shown in FIG. 1, comprising a mounting frame 14, which effectively is arranged behind the front wall 13 and serves as a component carrier. By way of example, the flushing water tank 5 is mounted on it. Also shown are the flush water feed line 6 and the gas generator 18, which is connected to the flush water feed line 6 by the channel connecting piece 24.

FIG. 4 shows another exemplary embodiment of a water closet 1 according to the invention, again comprising a flush toilet 2 with a bowl 3 and a flushing device 4 with flush tank 5 and flush water feed line 6. Connected to the flush water feed line 6 is an air exhaust channel 27, to which an exhaust fan 28 is connected. By this means, air can be drawn from the interior of the bowl by way of the short piece of the flush water feed line 6. The air is drawn out via the flush water feed openings leading into the bowl 3.

In the example shown here, a device 17 in the form of a gas generator 18 for supplying a disinfecting flushing gas is again provided. This device comprises, as described above in conjunction with FIG. 1, a fan 20 and a radiation-producing device 21 for emitting UV(C) rays. Operation is controlled again by the control unit 23.

The channel connecting piece 24 leads here into the air exhaust channel 27. The flushing gas generated on actuation of the operating element 25 enters the bowl 3 through the feed openings through which the flush water normally enters the bowl. The flush toilet here is designed as a so-called “rimless” toilet, which means that there is no water ring here. Instead, the flush water and thus also the flushing gas flow along an appropriate groove extending around the periphery of the bowl and are thus distributed throughout the bowl. In this way, the flushing gas can treat and disinfect the entire surface of the bowl.

Here, too, the operating element 25 is arranged by way of example on the operating device 15. Also mounted on this device is an operating element 29, by means of which the air exhaust device, i.e., the exhaust fan 28, can be turned on.

A seat-lid combination 10 is again provided, which in this case is mounted pivotably on a shower device 30. The shower device 30 is installed in a housing 31, which encloses the device on all sides and on or in which the seat 11 and the lid 12 are, for example, pivotably supported. The shower device 30 comprises a nozzle (not shown), which can be extended into the bowl 3, and through which heated water can be supplied to the user for cleaning purposes. It comprises not only a feed valve but also an appropriate pump, a heating device, and the nozzle unit, possibly also a water tank and also, of course, a control unit 32, which is shown here by way of example. The shower device 30, of course, is supplied as required with power and water through appropriate supply lines.

In the present example, an automatic closing device 33 is arranged in the housing 31; by means of this device, the seat 11, especially the seat together with the lid 12, can be automatically closed. The closing device 33 is actuated by the control unit 32. When the operating element 25 is actuated, the control unit 32 is also actuated automatically, which thereupon checks to see whether the lid 12 is raised or closed. If it detects that the lid 12 is still raised, the automatic closing device 33 automatically closes the lid 12. As soon as the lid 12 is closed, the gas generator is turned by the actuation of the operating element 25, so that the flushing gas, i.e., the ozone, is generated by the radiation device 21, and the fan 20 blows the ozone into the air exhaust channel 27 serving here as a feed channel, through which it then reaches the flush toilet and enters the bowl 3.

FIG. 5 shows by way of example a third embodiment of a water closet 1 according to the invention, comprising a flush toilet 2 with a bowl 3 and a flushing device 4 with flush water tank 5 and flush water feed line 6. Again, an operating device 15 with a flush button 16 is also provided.

Here, too, a device 17 for supplying a disinfecting flush water is provided. In the present case, this comprises a gas reservoir 34, in which the disinfecting flushing gas, such as ozone again, is held under pressure. The gas reservoir 34 is detachably arranged on a valve element 35, which can be actuated by a control unit 36. The control unit 36 communicates with the operating element 25, which again is arranged on the operating unit 15 and which is to be actuated to start the disinfecting process. When this operating element 25 is actuated, the control unit 36 actuates the valve element 35, e.g., a magnetic valve, so that this opens. The pressurized disinfecting flushing gas flows out of the gas reservoir 34 and into the channel connecting piece 24, which, in the example shown here, again leads to the flush water feed line 6. Through this line, the flushing gas then arrives in the bowl 3 and can flow over and disinfect large areas of its surface.

Again, the operation of the device 17, i.e., the opening of the valve element 35, occurs here only when it has been determined that the lid 12 is closed. In the example shown, a sensor element 26 is again provided to detect the closed state; here, however, the sensor is integrated into the seat 11. The sensor element 26 can again be a proximity sensor or a pressure sensor. The sensor element 26 detects whether the lid 12 is closed or not. If the lid is in the raised position, the control unit 36, which communicates with the sensor element 26, does not detect the “closed” signal. Even though the operating element 25 has been actuated, therefore, no flushing process takes place. Only when the sensor element 26 detects that the lid 12 is closed and a corresponding signal is sent to the control unit 36 will the control unit open the valve element 36, thus beginning the flushing process.

The gas reservoir 34 can be replaceable as such; that is, it can be easily detached from its coupling to the valve element 35. The gas reservoir 34 can then be refilled through a filling port 37. It is also conceivable, however, that this refilling via the filling port 37 could be performed while the reservoir is still mounted on the valve element 35. This gas reservoir 34 is preferably also installed behind the front wall 13, but it remains easily accessible through a service door.

FIG. 6, finally, shows a rear view of the flush toilet 2. The connecting flange 7 for the flush water feed line and the connecting flange 9 for the wastewater line can be seen. Adjacent to these connecting flanges 7, 9 there is an empty space 38 of commensurate size. In this empty space 8, in the example shown, the device 17 for feeding the flushing gas is arranged, here again in the form of the gas generator 18. This is again connected to the flush water feed line (shown only in broken line) by way of the channel connecting piece 24. This means that a compact unit can be obtained, since the gas generator 18, which can be made quite small, can be easily arranged in the empty space 38 available in the flush toilet.

The diagrams of the various exemplary embodiments of the water closet according to the invention merely illustrate the principle involved, and because they are merely exemplary embodiments, they are not limiting. It is obviously possible to combine corresponding components of the individual sanitary facilities in question in any way desired. For example, the water closet according to FIG. 1 can be provided with a different seat-lid combination, possibly together with a shower device as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The configurations according to FIGS. 1, 4, and 5 can also be provided with a gas reservoir instead of the flushing gas generator, etc. Finally, it is also conceivable that the gas generator or gas reservoir could be connected to the onward-leading section of line not by means of a separate channel connecting piece but rather directly to this section of line. To ensure that the flushing gas is introduced as efficiently as possible and over the shortest possible route into the bowl 3, the point at which the flushing gas is fed into the flush water feed line should preferably be as close as possible to the connection of the flush water feed line to the toilet, or the point at which the flushing gas is fed into the air exhaust channel should be as close as possible to the point at which the air exhaust channel is connected to the flush water feed line.

Instead of the wall-mounted flush toilet shown in the exemplary embodiments, it also obviously possible to provide a floor-mounted flush toilet with a corresponding device to supply a flushing gas, wherein this device comprises a gas generator or a gas reservoir. In this case, the gas generator or the gas reservoir is preferably enclosed on all sides by an appropriate housing or the like, is preferably arranged in the area behind the flush toilet, and is connected to the flush water feed line or to the air exhaust channel in a manner comparable to that of the exemplary embodiments described in detail above. An appropriate operating element can then be arranged, for example, on the enclosure surrounding the gas generator or gas reservoir, so that it can be actuated easily by the user. A corresponding sensor element for detecting a closed or raised lid can also be provided, wherein, in this case, the operating element will be arranged on, for example, the front of the detached flush water tank, against which the raised lid will lean, or again the sensor can be integrated into the seat. Of course, a shower device with an assigned automatic closing device can also be provided.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the inventive principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles. 

We claim:
 1. A water closet comprising a flush toilet with a bowl and a flushing device comprising a flush water feed line for supplying flush water into the bowl, wherein a device for feeding a disinfecting flushing gas into the bowl is provided.
 2. The water closet according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises a gas generator for generating the disinfecting flushing gas or a gas reservoir containing the disinfecting flushing gas.
 3. The water closet according to claim 1, wherein the disinfecting flushing gas is ozone.
 4. The water closet according to claim 3, wherein the gas generator comprises a housing containing a UV ray-emitting radiation device and a conveying means for conveying the flushing gas generated in the interior of the housing to the bowl.
 5. The water closet according to claim 4, wherein the conveying means is a fan arranged in the housing or upstream or downstream from it.
 6. The water closet according to claim 2, wherein the gas reservoir is a replaceable and/or refillable pressure vessel, from which the flushing gas can be discharged under pressure.
 7. The water closet according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises a feed channel, through which the flushing gas can be conducted into the bowl.
 8. The water closet according to claim 7, wherein the feed channel is a separate rigid or flexible channel, which leads from the gas generator or the gas reservoir to a feed opening provided on the flush toilet and leading to the bowl.
 9. The water closet according to claim 7, wherein the flush water feed line is used as the feed channel, to which the gas generator or the gas reservoir is connected either directly or by way of a channel connecting piece.
 10. The water closet according to claim 7, wherein an air exhaust channel is used as the feed channel, through which air can be drawn from the bowl by an exhaust fan, to which air exhaust channel the gas generator or the gas reservoir is connected either directly or by way of a channel connecting piece.
 11. The water closet according to claim 9, wherein the channel connecting piece is connected to the flush water feed line or to the air exhaust channel at a point close to the connection of the flush water feed line or of the air exhaust channel to the flush toilet.
 12. The water closet according to claim 2, wherein the gas generator or the gas reservoir is or can be arranged in an empty space in the flush toilet or behind a front wall, to which the flush toilet is or can be fastened.
 13. The water closet according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises a manually actuated operating element for initiating the feed of flushing gas.
 14. The water closet according to claim 13, wherein a control unit is provided, which, on actuation of the operating element, turns on the gas generator or opens and then closes the gas reservoir.
 15. The water closet according to claim 13, wherein the operating element is a push button or a push knob, which is arranged in particular on an actuating device of the flushing device.
 16. The water closet according to claim 1, wherein at least one sensor element for detecting the position of the lid covering the bowl is provided, wherein the feed of the flushing gas can be controlled as a function of the detection result.
 17. The water closet according to claim 16, wherein the sensor element serves to detect a raised lid.
 18. The water closet according to claim 17, wherein the flush toilet is or can be arranged on a wall, especially a front wall, wherein the sensor element is arranged on the wall above the flush toilet, or in that the flush toilet is a floor-mounted toilet, wherein the sensor element is arranged on a flush tank arranged behind and above the flush toilet.
 19. The water closet according to claim 16, wherein the sensor element serves to detect a closed lid.
 20. The water closet according to claim 19, wherein the sensor element is arranged on the toilet seat, which is located underneath the lid when the lid is closed.
 21. The water closet according to claim 16, wherein the sensor element is a proximity sensor or a pressure sensor.
 22. The water closet according to claim 1, wherein a shower device installed in a housing is provided on the flush toilet, which shower device is arranged behind the lid, wherein the lid is pivotably supported on or in the housing, and wherein, in the area of the shower device, a closing device is provided to close the lid automatically upon actuation of the operating element. 